De apostel Philippus 1526

Albrecht Dürer created this engraving of the apostle Phillip in 1526, a time of immense religious and social upheaval in Europe. Dürer, a towering figure of the Northern Renaissance, lived during the rise of the Protestant Reformation. His personal beliefs and artistic choices were deeply intertwined with the religious controversies of his era. The image of Phillip embodies the solemnity and faith of the time. There is a book tucked under his arm; in his other hand, he holds a cross-topped staff. The Apostle's downcast gaze evokes introspection. What can we read in the Apostle’s bare feet? Dürer was deeply committed to the power of images to convey religious and moral ideas, at a time when traditional religious representations were being challenged. His art reflects his efforts to navigate the complexities of faith and representation in a changing world. This image allows us to consider the emotional and spiritual dimensions of religious belief in an age of conflict.